“The women’s game has grown, significantly so,” says Greg Stremlaw, CEO of the Canadian Curling Association.

“It has its own brand and its own following and we’re seeing significant attendance factors across the country.”

Curling enthusiast Sandy Bastarache predicts the worlds will be a huge success and hopes it brings in even bigger events.

“I think that will open the door and maybe we’ll get the Briar, which we’ve never had here,” says Bastarache. “It comes to Moncton and it comes to Halifax, why can’t it come here?”

At ice level, local curling clubs also stand to benefit.

“Leading up to the event, everybody will be talking about it and will be getting interested in curling, so if that happens, the spinoff could be great for all the curling clubs,” says Mike Buckley, who manages the Thistle-St. Andrews Curling Club.

Saint John has more than a year to prepare. The event is slated for March 2014.